Great Initiatives Award

Helping you recognize those who do so much!

Does your nonprofit organization have a volunteer that puts their heart and soul into their charitable work? Perhaps they were the “spark” that got a charitable project or program off the ground. The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine wants to help you recognize that “one-in-a-million” citizen by accepting nominations for the annual Great Initiative Award.

A $1,500 stipend is available to the winner who has primarily served as the impetus behind the great initiative and who championed it resulting in a plan, program, service or organization that makes our communities and country great.

To nominate an individual for the Great Initiative Award, review the Award Guidelines, complete the Nomination Form and include letters of support from members of the community who can attest to the charitable work being done by the nominee.

The Great Initiative Award recipient is announced at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine’s Annual Celebration held in mid June.

Past Recipients of the Great Initiative Award:

Jim Sammons for fostering the Laundry of Love initiative.

Dr. Carol Moreno for her work in establishing, developing and sustaining the West Liberty Dream Catchers program.

Jim Weigand for a program delivering Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

Frank Illiff for bringing Rebuilding Together to Muscatine County.

Santos Saucedo for creating the Muscatine County Boxing Club.

Maryrose Peterschmidt for the Zoo Garden at Weed Park.

Lee Miller for the Civil War Memorial

Shirley Jean Drake as our inaugural year recipient for leaving a legacy of great initiatives across our community, county and state. Through her personal determination, ethics and cheerfulness, Shirley modeled the spark and drive that made people want to follow her, carry out and champion her initiatives. Many of those initiatives continue to inspire people to create positive change for our communities today.

Youth Initiative Award

In the similar spirit of the Great Initiative Award, we know there are talented, generous youth in our communities doing charitable projects of their own. The Youth Initiative Award was created just for them. The award is eligible for youth age 18 and under who were the primary organizer of a charitable program or project. A $1,000 stipend to support their work is available to the winner.

To nominate someone for the Youth Initiative Award, review the Award Guidelines, complete the Nomination Form and include at least one letter of support from a member of the community that can attest to the charitable work being completed by the nominee.